Heart & Diabetes · Dr Manoj Gerela
Heart check-up in Mulund East: ECG, echo, treadmill
A heart check-up with Dr Manoj Gerela starts with a consultation, at Mulund East, Bhandup West or Sigma Hospital & ICCU in Mulund West. The tests it calls for, ECG, 2D echo, treadmill test, stress echo, Holter and ambulatory blood pressure, are done in the cardiac suite at the Mulund East clinic and read by the doctor who ordered them.
Is this for you
Reasons people come for a heart check
- Pain, pressure or tightness in the chest, or breathlessness on stairs that is new for you.
- Palpitations, a racing or skipping heartbeat, or giddiness that comes and goes.
- High blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes, and no heart test on record.
- A parent or sibling with early heart disease. A baseline in your forties beats one in your sixties.
- A surgeon or anaesthetist has asked for pre-operative cardiac clearance.
- Follow-up after angioplasty, bypass or a heart attack, with a medicine review.
The tests, in plain words
What each test is for
ECG
A 12-lead electrocardiogram. Stickers on the chest and limbs record the heart’s rhythm for a few seconds. Done immediately, no preparation.
2D echo & colour Doppler
An ultrasound of the heart. A probe with gel is moved over the chest to look at the chambers, the valves and the pumping. Doppler shows blood flow. It does not hurt.
Treadmill / stress test
An ECG recorded while you walk on a treadmill that gets steeper and faster, to catch changes that only appear when the heart works harder. Supervised throughout.
Stress echo
An echo taken before and straight after exertion, used when a treadmill test on its own is not conclusive.
Holter monitoring
A small recorder worn at home for a day or more, for palpitations that never happen in the consulting room.
Ambulatory blood pressure
A cuff that inflates on its own through a normal day and night, the reliable way to confirm hypertension. See the blood pressure page.
What happens at the visit
Consultation first, then only the tests you need
The consultation
Dr Manoj takes a history, examines you and checks your blood pressure, then decides which tests, if any, are worth doing. Not everyone needs a treadmill test, and he will say so.
The tests
At Mulund East an ECG and an echo are usually done straight away. A treadmill test, stress echo, Holter or ambulatory monitor is booked for a slot. Blood tests go to the lab in the same building.
The explanation
Dr Manoj reads his own echoes and treadmill tests, so the report is explained by the person who did it. You leave with a written summary and a clear answer on whether anything further is needed.
Getting ready
What to bring and how to prepare
- Previous ECGs, echo reports, angiography or discharge summaries, however old.
- The medicines you take, the boxes rather than a list. Do not stop any medicine unless told to.
- For a treadmill test, comfortable clothes and walking shoes. The desk will tell you when to eat.
- For a fasting blood test, come in the morning without breakfast. Water is fine.
Afterwards
Follow-up
If everything is normal, that is usually the end of it. If something needs treatment, Dr Manoj starts it here and sees you again to check it is working. If a procedure is needed that a clinic cannot do, he will say so plainly and help you arrange it.
People who have had angioplasty, bypass or a heart attack are followed up here long-term.
Who does it
In clinical practice since 2001. Post-graduation in cardiology and diabetology at the Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai, and a fellowship in 2D echocardiography from the American Society of Echocardiography. He performs and reads the echoes and treadmill tests on this page himself.
Where
Consult at any of the three, tests at Mulund East
Questions about heart check-ups
Do I need a referral for a heart check-up?
No. Call and book directly. If another doctor has asked for a specific test, bring their note and Dr Manoj will write back to them.
Is a treadmill test safe?
It is a supervised test. Dr Manoj decides after the consultation whether it suits you, you are monitored throughout, and it stops the moment you ask. If it is not right for you, there are other ways to answer the same question.
Can I have all the tests on the same day as the consultation?
Usually an ECG and an echo, yes. A treadmill test, stress echo or Holter depends on the day’s slots, so mention on the phone that you may need one. Tests are always at Mulund East.
Related
Blood pressure
Hypertension consultation, 24-hour ambulatory monitoring and how to take home readings properly.
Diabetes care
HbA1c, sugar profile, continuous glucose monitoring and a plan you can follow at home.
Heart & Diabetes Care
Everything Dr Manoj treats, the tests done on site and the three locations.
Book a heart check-up
Call the Mulund East clinic. Mention if you think you may need a treadmill test or Holter, so a slot can be kept. Fees are confirmed when you book.